Doctrines like Limited Atonement - why?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Lightskin

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2019
3,165
3,665
113
#81
He told the Pharisees in John 10 the reason they did not believe is that he did not die for them.

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (KJV 1900)

“As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.” John 10:15–17 (KJV 1900)

“But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:26–29 (KJV 1900)
Out of context. It saddens me that you believe the way you do because your love for the Lord is beautiful. You’re like a dutiful soldier and I respect that immensely. That said you're incredibly incorrect in your belief of Calvinism.
 
Jan 17, 2020
4,792
736
113
#82
Out of context. It saddens me that you believe the way you do because your love for the Lord is beautiful. You’re like a dutiful soldier and I respect that immensely. That said you're incredibly incorrect in your belief of Calvinism.
How is the context out of context?
 

UnitedWithChrist

Well-known member
Aug 12, 2019
3,739
1,928
113
#85
The word of the cross is Christ crucified, the power and wisdom of God, to save those who believe in the preached message. What did you think it means?
What causes belief? Or, rather, who causes belief?

If you think it is something a fallen man, with a heart of stone, can produce from his own resources, without a heart of flesh being given to him, then you belong in the free willer camp, and you have reason to boast.

If you think it is God who gives the person a heart of flesh, which produces, as a fruit, faith and repentance, then you belong in the Reformed camp, and know that you have zero reason to boast.

That's really the determining factor.

Ephesians 2:1-10 is plain in this regard, I think, and no man has any reason for boasting, even his .1% that free willers think he has contributed to his salvation, as the determining factor.

I'm definitely in the latter camp :D

Praise be to God!

By the way, you may have been addressing someone else. That would be my response, though.

Additionally, the gospel is part of the means that God has decreed. He has decreed both the end and the means. That way, the regenerate man knows that the gospel is the means by which God had decreed to save him.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#86
What causes belief? Or, rather, who causes belief?

If you think it is something a fallen man, with a heart of stone, can produce from his own resources, without a heart of flesh being given to him, then you belong in the free willer camp, and you have reason to boast.

If you think it is God who gives the person a heart of flesh, which produces, as a fruit, faith and repentance, then you belong in the Reformed camp, and know that you have zero reason to boast.

That's really the determining factor.

Ephesians 2:1-10 is plain in this regard, I think, and no man has any reason for boasting, even his .1% that free willers think he has contributed to his salvation, as the determining factor.

I'm definitely in the latter camp :D

Praise be to God!

By the way, you may have been addressing someone else. That would be my response, though.

Additionally, the gospel is part of the means that God has decreed. He has decreed both the end and the means. That way, the regenerate man knows that the gospel is the means by which God had decreed to save him.
Well the bible says that faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God. In that respect it is God Who produces faith. God stirs the heart of sinful man through the Holy Spirit bringing conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment. Man can only respond as John 3:18-20 clearly demonstrates.

You can pontificate about election and such but you only demonstrate that you do not understand the character and nature of God. A man becomes elect when he believes in Christ. Man is not elect to believe in Christ. Short way to say it is you have it in reverse order.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

Jimbone

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2014
3,049
1,003
113
45
#87
In your theology, believing is a work of the law?
It doesn't have to be "in theology", if you can say "I believed" then it's a work. It's something you actively "do", and besides that, outside of Gods grace and power we cannot choose Him. Have you not read Romans?

None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good, not even one.
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

This is speaking of everybody ever born. Then when you add to this that God predestines, God draws us, repentance is a gift, and on and on. I very much understand why Dave-L believes these things and stands on them. You want to know something so crazy it'll blow your mind? I can also understand why you believe the way you believe and what you're standing on. The real crazy part is how opposed to each other you seem when honestly if you sat down and talk these things out I think you'd find that you are not as far apart as you think. Want to know why that is, at least in my opinion? This is because you are both following the Truth. It's mostly perspective, just simply how you look at it.

Example: Here with limited anointment,
Dave L believes that Jesus dies to save those He has called= Some are saved and some go to hell
You believe that Jesus died to make THE way for those who choose= Some are saved and some go to hell

(my words here to make a point, I don't know if either of you have actually said these things, just using it for my point)
So you say His God is a monster because He chooses to destine people for hell.
He says your God is powerless if He "died for everyone sin", yet everyone is not saved.

Honestly I don't see the need for such aggressiveness and separation between each other. I know since I have been reborn in His Spirit I have seen it both ways, as in I KNOW I was saved, but held both views, so I know you can be saved and believe either or. Maybe actually start listening to and trying to understand each other can unity us, you know like Jesus says. Again and as always I pray He make me more like this, because I fall pitifully short myself, I just want to see us more united, even when we have differences.
 

Lightskin

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2019
3,165
3,665
113
#88
You need to prove the answer wrong first, not mislabel it to your liking.
I’m disappointed. I didn’t think you’d cop out so easily. The fact is, you made the statement that faith is a work, thus the onus of proving anything is on you.

Surely someone as opinionated as you should be able to defend their own statement. Unless of course your ego is standing in the way of acknowledging that which we already know is true ~ that you’re wrong.
 
Jan 17, 2020
4,792
736
113
#89
I’m disappointed. I didn’t think you’d cop out so easily. The fact is, you made the statement that faith is a work, thus the onus of proving anything is on you.

Surely someone as opinionated as you should be able to defend their own statement. Unless of course your ego is standing in the way of acknowledging that which we already know is true ~ that you’re wrong.
John 10 proves the point. I cannot help it if you take it off the table.
 
Jan 17, 2020
4,792
736
113
#90
Well the bible says that faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God. In that respect it is God Who produces faith. God stirs the heart of sinful man through the Holy Spirit bringing conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment. Man can only respond as John 3:18-20 clearly demonstrates.

You can pontificate about election and such but you only demonstrate that you do not understand the character and nature of God. A man becomes elect when he believes in Christ. Man is not elect to believe in Christ. Short way to say it is you have it in reverse order.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
Christ had to pay for your sins before God can turn you into a saved believer. God is Just and cannot forgive iniquity apart from atonement.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,778
113
#92
Christ did not pay for sin at all if he died for all sinners and all are not saved.
This is HUMANISTIC REASONING.

You won't find that in Scripture. But here is Scripture.
And He [the Risen Christ] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15,16 GENUINE SCRIPTURE)

So let's analyze these verses.

1. Who gave this command? THE RISEN LORD

2. Who was commanded? THE APOSTLES AND BY EXTENSION THE CHURCH

3. What was commanded? THE GOSPEL TO EVERY HUMAN BEING

4. Would that mean that all could be saved? ABSOLUTELY

5. Did that mean that all would be saved? ABSOLUTELY NOT

And here is why: but he that believeth not shall be damned.
 
Jan 17, 2020
4,792
736
113
#93
Why did God limit the atonement to Israel under the Old Covenant and not provide it for all nations?
 
Jan 17, 2020
4,792
736
113
#94
This is HUMANISTIC REASONING.

You won't find that in Scripture. But here is Scripture.
And He [the Risen Christ] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15,16 GENUINE SCRIPTURE)

So let's analyze these verses.

1. Who gave this command? THE RISEN LORD

2. Who was commanded? THE APOSTLES AND BY EXTENSION THE CHURCH

3. What was commanded? THE GOSPEL TO EVERY HUMAN BEING

4. Would that mean that all could be saved? ABSOLUTELY

5. Did that mean that all would be saved? ABSOLUTELY NOT

And here is why: but he that believeth not shall be damned.
He didn't pay for the sin of unbelief according to your reasoning. And that is the basis for all sin. So he did not pay for anyone's sin if your position is true.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#95
Why did God limit the atonement to Israel under the Old Covenant and not provide it for all nations?
Absurd statement.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#97
It shows how skewed universal atonement is.
It demonstrates your skewed version of history and purpose in Gods relationship with Israel and mankind.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
Jan 17, 2020
4,792
736
113
#98
It demonstrates your skewed version of history and purpose in Gods relationship with Israel and mankind.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
It's still the same. Christ died for Israel only and believers are the elect of Israel from all nations.
 
Jan 17, 2020
4,792
736
113
John 10 proves nothing regarding Calvinism.
Calvin didn't believe in limited atonement either. He was more like you in that area. So I let scripture teach what it teaches and there is no way around the fact that the Pharisees could not believe because Jesus did not die for them. Let the bible speak for itself.